An independent panel has published its ‘long-awaited’ findings and recommendations which aim to create a more “joined-up system” of FE and HE. I’ve trawled Google for summaries from different perspectives that might be useful.
The official government information including the full report (216 pages) can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/post-18-review-of-education-and-funding-independent-panel-report
FE Week has an article on the 9 main recommendations. These are:
1. The FE college ‘network’ should be ‘rationalised’ and given a dedicated capital investment
2. There should be full funding for qualifications at levels 2 and 3 for all adults
3. The reduction in the core funding rate for 18-year-olds should be reversed
4. ESFA funding rules should be simplified and government should commit to providing an indicative adult education budget
5. Funding for level 6 apprenticeships and above should be available only for those who have not previously undertaken a publicly-supported degree
6. Investment in the FE workforce should be a ‘priority’
7. Government should improve data collection, collation, analysis and publication across FE
8. FE colleges should have a protected title like universities
9. Ofsted should become the lead responsible body for inspecting apprenticeships at all levels
You can read more about these here: https://feweek.co.uk/2019/05/30/post-18-education-review-the-10-key-recommendations-for-fe/
- FE Week article about the introduction of a ‘lifelong learning loan allowance’ proposal: https://feweek.co.uk/2019/05/30/81379/
- The Higher Education Policy Institute has marked the report against its own ten points-of-note (it passes): https://www.hepi.ac.uk/2019/05/30/marking-augar/
- CBI response, Augar review has right approach to colleges, but must protect funding for English universities: https://www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre/articles/augar-review-has-right-approach-to-colleges-but-must-protect-funding-for-english-universities/
- Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert editorial here: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2019/05/editorial-comment–the-augar-report-heralds-the-end-of-student–/
- Tom Richmond, Founder and Director of EDSK has a twitter thread reviewing the report. It begins, ‘My overriding impression from reading the #AugarReview is that it takes many steps in the right direction – some big, some small – but seems to pull its punches at crucial moments throughout the 216-page document’. Full thread here: https://twitter.com/Tom_Richmond/status/1133983221920800768
- Further Reading: The House of Commons Education Committee produced a report on value for money in higher education last year which comments on the approach of the review (conclusions and recommendations are on page 37): https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmeduc/343/343.pdf
